To sow seeds (scatter seeds into soil) for growing plants; a basic agricultural/gardening action.
春になったので畑に大豆の種をまいた。
Since spring has come, I sowed soybean seeds in the field.
小学生が花壇に花の種をまいて、水やりを始めた。
The elementary students sowed flower seeds in the flowerbed and started watering them.
よく耕してから種を撒くと発芽しやすい。
If you till well before sowing seeds, they germinate more easily.
Figuratively, to sow the seeds of something — to create the cause or trigger for trouble, conflict, or an outcome (often used as '〜の種をまく').
彼の一言がトラブルの種をまいた。
His single remark sowed the seeds of trouble.
不満を放置すると職場の軋轢の種をまくことになる。
If you leave dissatisfaction unaddressed, you'll be sowing the seeds of friction at work.
小さな嘘が後で大きな問題の種をまくことがある。
A small lie can later sow the seeds of a big problem.